History of California
Indians
The
above picture shows Native American Indians of
California who lived in this area before the
enforced removal of Native Indians to the
reservations.

Stone Age History of California
The American Native Indians who lived in what is
now the present state of California
led
a Stone Age lifestyle - they only had stone
tools and weapons, had never seen a horse and
had no knowledge of the wheel. The history of the California
Indians are detailed in this article.

Map of California
The map of California
provides a bird's eye view of
the location of the tribal territories and
homelands of the California
Indians in relation to the
present day United States of America. The map indicates the location of the State and the American Native Indians of California.

State Map of California

State Map showing location of California
Indians

Names of the California
Indian Tribes
There are many famous Native American tribes who played a part in the history of the state and whose tribal territories and homelands are located in the present day state of California.
California is a state in the western United
States. The
names of the California
tribes included the Chilula, Cocopah, Hoopa (aka Hupa), Juaneno, Karok, Kato,
Konkow, Mohave Miwok, Modoc, Pomo, Shoshoni tribe aka
Shoshone, Wintu and Wiyot.

Fast Facts about the History of California
Indians
The way of life and history of California
Indians was
dictated by the natural raw materials available
in the State of
California. The natural resources and materials
available provided the food, clothing and houses of
the California
Indians. Fast facts
about the history, culture and life of the State of California
Indians. Discover facts and information about the history of the State of California
Indians.

Name of State: California

Meaning of State name: Believed to have been
derived from a 1510 book called 'Las Sergas
de Esplandian' by Garcia Ordonez de Montalvo.
The book centres around a mythical Spanish
island ruled by a queen called 'Califia' and
used for the name California.

Geography, Environment and Characteristics of the State of California:
Long mountainous coastline, central valley,
Sierra Nevada on the east, southern desert
basins, rugged mountains in the north.

History Timeline of the California
Indians
The history and the way of life of California
Indians was profoundly affected by newcomers
to the area. The indigenous people had
occupied the land thousands of years before
the first European explorers arrived. The Europeans brought with them new ideas, customs, religions, weapons, transport (the horse and the wheel), livestock (cattle and sheep) and disease which profoundly affected the history of the Native Indians.
For a comprehensive History timeline
regarding the early settlers and colonists
refer to the Colonial America Time Period. The history of the State
and of its Native American Indians is detailed in a simple History Timeline. This California
Indian History
Timeline provides a list detailing dates of
conflicts, wars and battles involving
California
Indians and their history. We have also detailed major events in US history which impacted the history of the
California
Indians.

California History Timeline

History Timeline of the Native Indians of California

10,000 BC

The
first indigenous people were of the Paleo-Indian
culture who lived in caves or were Nomadic Hunters

Juan
Rodriguez Cabrillo explores California and claims
the land for Spain

1545

A typhus
epidemic brought by the Europeans kills hundreds of
thousands of natives

1579

Sir
Francis Drake also claims California for England

1775

1775 - 1783 - The
American
Revolution.

1776

July 4, 1776 - United States
Declaration of Independence

1781

The Yuma
Revolt

1803

The United States bought the
Louisiana Territory from France for 15 million dollars for
the land

1812

1812 - 1815: The War of 1812
between U.S. and Great Britain, ended in a stalemate
but confirmed America's Independence

1821

Mexico
wins its independence from Spain and takes control
of California

1830

Indian
Removal Act

1830

1830-1840 - Miwok-Yokut Raids into Mexican
California

1832

Department of Indian Affairs established

1841

Captain
John Bartleson leads first wagon train of settlers,
across Utah to California

1846

The
United States invades Mexico

1848

California is passed to the US with the Treaty of
Guadalupe, which ended the Mexican War

1850

California was admitted into the Union

1850

The
Mariposa Indian War in California, a conflict
between the with Miwok and Yokut Indians and miners.
Miners forced the Indians off their gold rich lands.

1850

The Pitt
River expedition, California. Made by Colonel E. A.
Stevenson, Indian Agent to establish relations with
the Achomawi or Pit River, Hat Creek and Modoc.

1856

The Tule
River War

1861

1861 - 1865: The
American
Civil War.

1862

U.S. Congress passes Homestead
Act opening the Great Plains to settlers

1864

The
Snake War (1864–1868) was fought by the U.S. army
against the "Snake Indians" which was the settlers
term for Northern Paiute, Bannock and Western
Shoshone bands who lived along the Snake River.
Fighting took place in Oregon, Nevada, and
California, and Idaho

1865

The surrender of Robert E. Lee
on April 9 1865 signalled the end of the Confederacy

1872 - 1873 Modoc War in
California and Oregon when led by Captain Jack
Native Indians left their terrible reservation and
fought for 6 months, Captain Jack was hanged

1887

Dawes General Allotment Act
passed by Congress leads to the break up of the
large Indian Reservations and the sale of Indian
lands to white settlers

1969

All Indians declared citizens
of U.S.

1979

American Indian Religious
Freedom Act was passed

History Timeline of the Native Indians of California

State of California History Timeline

History of California
Indians - Destruction and
Decline
The history of the European invasion brought epidemic diseases such as tuberculosis, cholera,
influenza, measles and smallpox. The Native
Indians of California
had not developed immunities
against these diseases resulting in huge
losses in population. Exploitation including the leverage of taxes, enforced labor and enslavement were part of their history, taking their toll on the California
Indians.

California

History of California
Indians

Interesting Facts and information about the California
Culture and History

Names of indigenous California
tribes of Indians

Fast Facts, History Timeline and info

Map of California

History Timeline of the California
Indians

State of California
Indians - Additional
Pictures and Videos
State of California
Indian History. Discover
the vast selection of pictures and videos of Native
Americans. The pictures show the clothing, weapons and
decorations of various Native American tribes that can be used as an educational history resource for kids and children. We hope that this article on the History of California
Indians will assist in your
studies or homework and that you will enjoy watching the
videos featuring many pictures of the Native Americans.
A great historical educational resource for kids on the subject of the History of California
Indians..